I'm 56.
I gotta say, I'm feeling pretty good ;-p.
After 26 years in Los Angeles, my wife and I, plus our two dogs, have just moved back to Scotland. And while no doubt winter is coming, we've been blessed by fantastic weather over the last couple of months.
LA is amazing, it's so big and diverse, it has anything you can think of - I will always love the city and the state of California - but there's a problem with being so big - you have to drive everywhere. To take our dogs out in nature we have to load them up in the car, drive for an hour (or more,) and then it's unlikely they can freely roam off the leash.
This photo essay starts at one of the trailheads that covers Kinnoull Hill, a 30 minute brisk walk from where I'm typing in the middle of the city. Come and have a look... ;-p
One of the many trails you can take to the top!
Kinnoull Hill has a load of these carved tree stumps - you'll find Eagles, Squirrels, even a family of Hedgehogs carved into the trunks of fallen trees - it's a great game to see how many you can spot on the hike.
We managed to lose the actual trail but no worries - this is one of the many pathways that appear all over the hill. Bowser (in front) and Oliver have no problem walking off leash and exploring the woods.
Squirrel!!
Once you get to the top, the views are amazing. That's the Tay river rolling towards Dundee.
Hang about - what's Bert doing up here? (He's Farcaster famous if you didn't know ;-p)
That's where we're headed next, a 17th century folly that was built by someone who liked the look of the castles on the Rhine. Does look super dope!
Freeeeeeedom!!! (Sorry - inner Braveheart came out)
In the previous image you might spot a bench - this is what you see when you sit on it.
'cos who doesn't need a Witch's hut in the middle of the forest. We did sit in there and have a snack and felt totally invisible - it was awesome.
Benches are a thing here in Perth. You'll find them in parks, on high streets, and yes, up here in the hills. For this particular view the bench designers cut a path through the trees to unveil this stunning view of the Tay.
We're heading back down the hill but the forest is still with us. This part of Scotland is called "Tall Tree Country" - you can see why. It reminds me of the bush in Australia's blue mountains.
Heading home - it still looks gorgeous but you can see the beginnings of civilization appearing.
Five minutes later and we're crossing the Queen's bridge back into the center of Perth. The bridge you can see is Smeaton's bridge, built in the 1770's.
And this is it from the other side.
So yes - while environment is just one part of a life - the move to Scotland has certainly made a huge positive impact on how we move through the world. I'm kinda looking forward to winter now - I wonder what the above will look in the snow!
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Andrew McCluskey
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This week's "Human Collective" prompt was: How Are You Feeling About Where You're At In Your Life? I enjoyed "writing" this one ;-p
Discover the stunning landscapes of Scotland as the new chapter unfolds after a move from Los Angeles. The journey to Kinnoull Hill reveals tranquil nature trails, breathtaking views, and playful sculpted tree stumps, perfectly catering to adventurers and pets alike. Embracing unusual sights like a witch’s hut and iconic bridges enhances the experience. This transition brings excitement and anticipation, especially as winter approaches. Dive into the full escapade by @music2work2.